In truth, the only limitation the studio could possibly have is the songwriter.  In some ways it doesn’t matter what first made the noise.  In many ways it does not matter how the noise is recorded.  In almost every case, the only opinion that matters is the individual making the noise.  I think Miles said, “if it is good, it’s good.”  There is an untold amount of beauty to be explored still with live wooden and metal instruments, but a computer can do an even greater unfathomable amount of alteration to any sound given as a starting point.  again, the composer is the limit.

More Studio Studio Toys

Instruments – Drums, Hand Percussion, Guitars, Basses, Keys

MIDI Controllers – NI Maschine, Ableton Push, M-Audio Key Rig, etc are some varieties.  These are going to be around $50 to many more dollars.  You should be able to get a decent one to get started with for around $100.  This is something that pawn shops, second hand stores, or a place like Reverb might be good to explore.  If you already play piano a keyboard controller with weighted keys is probably best, but new those can get expensive quickly.  If you are a drummer, maybe you want an electronic pad, or want to try finger drummer on a Maschine.  Some DAWs will allow you to play your computer keyboard as a piano-like keyboard if you are really in a pinch.

Microphone – Now there are tons and tons of microphones to choose from, and I am a total noob right now when it comes to them.  Even if I was not a total noob, I will still tell you to check out Electrical Audio’s YouTube channel or you can start with this article Sound on Sound.  This is a very serious article and not something you are going to breeze through.  This is one to bookmark, and refer back to it often.  If you want something shorter, here is a quick article from Guitar World on microphone placement.  I have taken paid courses in studio stuff, and I have learned more from Steve Albini in the videos and articles I have read.  Now I just need to win the lottery so I can buy a ton of new-to-me microphones.

One thing to mention with microphones, is at some point this also means stands, pop filters, pre-amplifiers and all sorts of other goodies.

Found junk from the alley….

I am still amazed to this day, what you can find in an alley.  One time, it was a bass drum.  The drum was not in the best of shape, and admittedly I have not done a whole lot to try and fix it up I still have used it in Theater Productions with much success as a prop or on stage instrument.   I found Car brake drums, which have quite an interesting sound when you use a very light drumstick on them.  A good sound to start with and then start manipulating in your DAW with some effects.